The Margaret River region in south-west Western Australia is famous for its gourmet food and wines and natural wonders - towering forests, ancient caves, migrating whales, dolphins and white-sand beaches.

Just 280km south of Perth,

it’s an easy drive to Margaret River, with plenty of attractions to make it the ideal short break.

Getting there Take the Kwinana Freeway south from the Perth CBD, then transfer to Highway 1, or the Old Coast Road south of Mandurah. At Bunbury transfer to the Bussell Highway 10 which hugs the coast of Geographe Bay before continuing to the Margaret River on Highway 250 via Dunsborough and Yallingup.

AccommodationAlong the way there’s no shortage of dining and accommodation options to suit all budgets and tastes, from caravan and camping parks to motels, hotels, resorts and B&Bs.

Planning your road trip Start your scenic road trip with a safe, reliable vehicle, a must for any Australian driving holiday.

Must-see stops between Perth and Margaret RiverGet up close to dolphins at Mandurah Monkey Mia isn’t the only place in Western Australia where you can swim with dolphins. At Mandurah, dolphins have made the expansive Peel-Harvey estuary their home.

Get up close to these engaging creatures by cruise or kayak.

Get wet at the Peel-Harvey estuary Mandurah’s Peel-Harvey

estuary is twice the size of Sydney Harbour.

There are many ways to enjoy and explore it - kayaks, jetskis and boats are all available for hire, plus there are day and twilight cruise tours.

Sunset seafood dinnerDine waterside at Mandurah’s Dolphin Quay marina, The Boardwalk or Foreshore on fresh seafood, fine wine and local beers while watching the sun drop slowly into the Indian Ocean.

Lake Clifton’s ThombolitesForty kilometres south of Mandurah at Yalgorup National Park’s Lake Clifton, stop to see the ancient thrombolite living fossils.

Bunbury Take a Dolphin Eco Cruise from

the Dolphin Discovery Centre at Bunbury or choose a Swim on the Wild Side tour. There’s also a wild dolphin interaction zone, aquariums, a 360 degree digital ‘dolphinarium’ and more.

Got energy to spare? Climb the Marlston Hill Lookout Tower on the site of the old lighthouse for panoramic coastal views or walk from there to the new lighthouse.

Sample the local wines and beers at Capel Vale and Willow Bridge Estate wineries and Mash, Wild Bull and Old Coast Road breweries to name a few.

Busselton Jetty Train buffs and kids will

enjoy a 1.8km train ride (or walk) on the heritage-listed Busselton Jetty, the longest timber-piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere, located 226km from Perth.

Busselton is one of WA’s first settlements, so for history buffs a visit to the museum, St Mary’s church and Old Courthouse and prison (which also has the modern ArtGeo Gallery and arts complex) is a must.

Whale-watching Between September and December, Dunsborough’s whale-watching cruises give you a chance to see the magnificent humpback and southern right whales migrating home from their winter journeys.

Cape Naturaliste LighthouseYour reward for climbing the Cape

Naturaliste Lighthouse is panoramic views of the ocean and Cape Naturaliste and Leeuwin-Naturaliste National Park. Nearby walking trails lead to the pristine bays and beaches below.

local wineries, boutique breweries and restaurants serving locally grown produce including cheese, chocolate, olive oil and venison, the region is a gourmand’s heaven.

Discover the enormous list of activities to be enjoyed at this world-renowned region of WA at its official tourism site. Below are some highlights.

Margaret River Chocolate CompanySouth of Yallingup, on the Harmans Mill Road, is the Margaret River Chocolate Company where you can indulge in free tastings and, via interactive displays and windows into the factory, learn about chocolate -making.

Augusta and the Cape Leeuwin LighthouseCape Leeuwin is the south-western

most point in Australia, where the Indian and Southern Oceans meet.

Take a tour of the lighthouse and, between June and September, hop aboard a whale watching tour.

Leeuwin Naturaliste National Park: Lake Cave and the Boranup Karri ForestTake a tour of the crystalline Lake Cave or venture on the walking trails in the Boranup Karri Forest where you will be dwarfed by its 60m tall Karri trees.